Over 150,000 pairs of fake Nike, Adidas shoes destroyed

MANILA, Philippines - Over 150,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike, Adidas and Converse shoes, as well as other popular footwear brands, were destroyed by the Bureau of Customs on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BOC said the thousands of China-made fake shoes, worth an estimated P50 million, were smuggled into the country last year.

The haul of fake Nike, Adidas, Converse, Sketchers, Northface, Leaveland, Merelle, Lacoste, Vans, Havaianas, and Ipanema products were seized from a warehouse in Olivares Compound in Parañaque City last February 2014.

"These counterfeit shoes and slippers were smuggled from China and were part of a big raid we had last year inside the Olivarez Compound in Parañaque City. We seized the warehouse to check the legality of the importation of goods but the owner failed to produce proof of payment of duties and taxes from Customs, consequently, the warehouse was padlocked and sealed for BOC custody," Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said.

The one-year gap between the seizure and the actual destruction of the smuggled products was attributed to the long process that included issuance of subpoenas to the concerned consignees and brokers, the need to secure the involvement of brand owners, and the conduct of hearings in accordance with existing regulations.

Sevilla said the shipments were subject to a series of hearings, but the claimant did not send any representative. This means the fake items have been forfeited and should be destroyed.

The BOC chief said the agency destroyed the fake products so it would not find its way in the market.

“We will not allow the Philippines to be a dumping ground of counterfeit goods. The BOC will ensure that manufacturers and distributors of genuine brands are protected. We are urging the public not to buy counterfeit products. Tigilan na po natin ito. Kapag wala pong tumatangkilik wala din pong bibili ng fake," Sevilla said.

Last April 2014, the BOC also destroyed more than 200 boxes of shoes imported from China after they were found to be fake at the Port of Davao.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Johnny Midnight dies at 73

MANILA - Radio broadcaster John William Joseph, Jr., more popularly known as Johnny Midnight, died on Monday due to prostate cancer, according to a relative. He was 73.

Joseph died at the Paranaque Hospital, where had been confined, his cousin Robert Joseph told ABS-CBN News.

Joseph's family has yet to announce details of his funeral.

A radio broadcaster of DZRJ, Joseph became popular for advocating a kind of "toning water" that he claimed could heal many illnesses.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Janelle Manahan takes witness stand

MANILA, Philippines -- For the first time, Janelle Manahan took the witness stand at the Paranaque Regional Trial Court on Tuesday in connection with the murder of her boyfriend, actor Ramgen Revilla.

Manahan is the fifth witness for the prosecution.

Under direct examination of Atty. Restituto Mendoza, Manahan narrated the events on October 28, 2011, when Revilla was killed inside his home in Parañaque.

Manahan broke into tears as she remembered how a gunman shot her on the face before shooting Revilla.

She also reiterated that Revilla's sister, Ramona Bautista, was also there and went out of the house to look for help.

However, it took a long time before Bautista returned. So Manahan said she decided to text someone to ask for help.

Manahan also narrated that Bautista siblings were always fighting, including an incident when Ramgen hit Ramona on her head with a gun.

Ramgen is the oldest of nine children of former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. with Genelyn Magsaysay, who has insisted that the squabbles between her children is not a possible motive for murder.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Half-brother of Sen. Bong Revilla shot and stabbed dead

A half-brother of Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. was shot and stabbed dead in his Parañaque City house shortly before midnight Friday.

Ram Revilla succumbed to his injuries after at least one gunman entered his house in BF Homes in Parañaque at about 11 p.m. Friday, radio dzBB reported early Saturday.

The report said the assailant also stabbed Ram’s girlfriend. A separate report on PEP.ph said Ram and his girlfriend, identified as Jonelle Manahan, were brought to the Parañaque Medical Center.

On the other hand, the dzBB report quoted Sen. Revilla as saying he doubts robbery was the motive in the killing of his half-brother.

He cited reports reaching him showing nothing appeared to be taken from the victim’s house.

The PEP.ph report said the victim made his film debut in “Anak Ka ng Tatay Mo" in 2004.

His other movies included “Exodus" (2005) and “Resiklo" (2007). — ELR, GMA News

source: gmanews.tv